Study Abroad Scholarships: $8,500 for Donaghey Scholars
$8,500 to study abroad, on top of a $100,000 full ride
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$8,500
Study abroad support
Not based on income
Full ride included
Apply by Jan 15
Unlike most study abroad scholarships, this one is built in: the George W. Donaghey Foundation gives every Donaghey Scholar $8,500 for a required study abroad experience, on top of a four-year full ride. Freshmen, transfer, and international students can apply by February 15, 2027.
Donaghey study abroad at a glance
- The Donaghey Foundation gives every scholar $8,500 for study abroad.
- Study abroad has been required since 1990, so it's planned and funded from the first year.
- You choose the program: research, an internship, courses in your major, or language study, anywhere in the world.
- The award is part of a full ride worth $92,000 to $100,000 that also covers tuition, fees, and a yearly stipend.
- Freshmen, transfer, and international students can apply. The final deadline for fall 2027 entry is February 15, 2027.
Most students pay for study abroad with one-time grants they apply for after they start college. In the Donaghey Scholarship Program at UA Little Rock, the George W. Donaghey Foundation builds study abroad into the scholarship itself and sets aside $8,500 for every scholar.
How the Donaghey study abroad scholarship works
Choose the length
Programs range from six-week summer sessions to a full semester or academic year. Most scholars go the summer after their sophomore or junior year, which fits around major requirements.
Choose the experience
No specific program is required. Working with the Donaghey program, their major department, and UA Little Rock's Office of Study Abroad, scholars choose to:
- Do research or an internship
- Take courses in their major at a partner university
- Enroll in a foreign language program
Stack it with other aid
The Donaghey award stacks with Pell Grants, most State of Arkansas scholarships, and private scholarships. A scholar who receives a Pell Grant can also apply for a federal Gilman Scholarship to stretch a longer stay.
The program requires study abroad because time in another country builds the independence that graduate schools and employers look for. Scholars often call it one of the best parts of the program.
Where Donaghey Scholars study abroad
| Region | Recent destinations |
|---|---|
| Europe | France, Spain, Germany, Czechia |
| Asia | Japan, Korea, Thailand |
| Africa | Morocco, South Africa |
| Americas | Argentina |
| Oceania | Australia |
A four-year study abroad timeline
- In freshman year, live on campus, start the honors core, and go to study abroad info sessions. Get a passport.
- In sophomore year, pick a program with your Donaghey advisor and major department, then apply.
- Most scholars travel the summer after sophomore or junior year.
- In senior year, many scholars draw on their time abroad for the senior thesis, graduate school applications, or job interviews.
How to apply for the Donaghey study abroad scholarship
Study abroad funding comes with becoming a Donaghey Scholar. To apply, you need:
- Admission to UA Little Rock as an incoming freshman, transfer, or international student. Transfer and current students need no more than 36 hours of college credit.
- A GPA of 3.5 or higher
- An ACT of 24 or higher, or an SAT of 1180 or higher
The selection committee specifically weighs your desire to study abroad. If international study is one of your goals, be specific about it in your essays and interview.
- Apply for admission to UA Little Rock and send official scores and transcripts.
- Complete the Donaghey General Data sheet and the aid application in ScholarshipUniverse.
- If invited, submit three essays and teacher recommendations by February 15, 2027.
For the full package and timeline, see the Donaghey full ride scholarship.
How Donaghey compares to other study abroad scholarships
Most study abroad scholarships are one-time, competitive awards for students already in college. The best-known national awards are Gilman, the Fund for Education Abroad, and Boren.
| Scholarship | Typical award | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Donaghey Scholars | $8,500 for every scholar, plus a full ride | New UA Little Rock students selected for the program, including transfer and international students |
| Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship | Up to $5,000, plus up to $3,000 for critical-need languages | U.S. citizen undergraduates who receive Pell Grants |
| Fund for Education Abroad | Up to $5,000 for a semester, $10,000 for a year | U.S. undergraduates, with priority for underrepresented students |
| Boren Scholarship | Large awards for long-term study | Students of less commonly taught languages, with a federal service commitment |
National award amounts change each cycle. Check gilmanscholarship.org, fundforeducationabroad.org, and borenawards.org for current terms.
Other sources of study abroad money include university study abroad grants, which are often small and require a new application each trip, and awards from the providers who run the programs.
Frequently asked questions
How much study abroad funding do Donaghey Scholars get?
Every scholar receives $8,500 from the George W. Donaghey Foundation toward a required study abroad experience, on top of a full ride.
Is study abroad required for Donaghey Scholars?
Yes, since 1990. Most scholars go the summer after their sophomore or junior year. Some stay a semester or a full year.
How do I get the Donaghey study abroad scholarship?
Apply to become a Donaghey Scholar. You'll need admission to UA Little Rock, a 3.5 GPA, and a 24 ACT or 1180 SAT. Freshmen, transfer, and international students can apply. The final deadline for fall 2027 entry is February 15, 2027.
Can transfer or international students apply?
Yes. Transfer students and current UA Little Rock students can apply if they meet the GPA and test score minimums and have completed no more than 36 hours of college credit. AP and concurrent credit earned in high school doesn't count toward that limit. International students can apply too, once they're admitted to UA Little Rock.
Do I have to study a foreign language abroad?
No. Scholars can do research or an internship, take courses in their major, or join a language program.
Can I combine study abroad scholarships?
Usually, yes. Donaghey stacks with Pell Grants, most Arkansas state scholarships, and private scholarships, so Pell recipients can also apply for Gilman.
How much do other study abroad scholarships pay?
Gilman offers up to $5,000 for Pell Grant recipients, and FEA offers up to $5,000 for a semester or $10,000 for a year. Most are one-time awards for current college students.
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